| Planning on traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, | | | | under age 16, you must apply for a U.S. passport in |
| Mexico or Canada after June 1, 2009? Then you | | | | person. You can locate the closet Passport |
| need to know about the Western Hemisphere Travel | | | | Acceptance Facility or Passport Agency online from |
| Initiative (WHTI). Starting June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens | | | | the U.S. Department of State’s website. When |
| must show proof of U.S. citizenship when entering | | | | you apply for your new passport, you will be required |
| the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda | | | | to complete Form DS-11, provide additional identity |
| and Caribbean countries, whether your travels are by | | | | documentation (ex. a birth certificate) and provide |
| air, sea (such as a cruise ship), or land (such as from | | | | your social security number. |
| Canada or Mexico). | | | | If you need to re-apply for a new passport or renew |
| What Documents will you need to Show Proof of | | | | your old passport, you will be required to fill out Form |
| U.S. citizenship? | | | | DS-82. You can apply for a new passport by mail or |
| The best single form of identification and citizenship is | | | | online, and it is often easier to reapply for a passport |
| a U.S. passport, which is required for international air | | | | online. When you apply for a passport online, you do |
| travel. For U.S. citizens traveling by sea or land, a U.S. | | | | not have to wait for your forms to be sent via mail. |
| Passport Card or an Enhanced Driver’s License, | | | | Furthermore, you can often track the progress on |
| available in some border states, are also acceptable | | | | the processing of your passport online. |
| travel documents. | | | | Check Current Travel Documents for WHTI |
| Although previously U.S. adult citizens could present a | | | | Compliance: |
| driver’s license and a birth certificate as | | | | Do you need to apply for a new passport? If you |
| acceptable travel documents, after June 1, 2009 | | | | already have a passport, make sure it is still valid. |
| these will no longer be valid for entry back into the | | | | Reasons you may need to Re-new your Passport: |
| United States. | | | | - It was issued more than 15 years ago |
| For U.S. citizens under the age of 16, birth certificates | | | | - It is damaged |
| will continue to be acceptable for land or sea travel, | | | | - It was issued when you were under 16 years old |
| but a passport will be required for international air | | | | - It does not have your current name (if you were |
| travel. | | | | married or changed your name legally) |
| All identification documents must include your name, a | | | | Once you have determined if you need to apply for |
| photo and your date of birth. | | | | a new passport or renew your current passport, fill |
| What is the Goal of WHTI? | | | | out the appropriate application ASAP because |
| The WHTI will help facilitate entry for U.S. citizens | | | | processing times for such travel documents may be |
| and legitimate foreign visitors into the United States. | | | | more than a month. |
| If you have travelled internationally before, you were | | | | How long does it take to Process an Application? |
| probably asked to show your U.S. passport upon | | | | According to the U.S. Department of State, |
| re-entering into the United States. For many years, | | | | processing times for passport applications are |
| U.S. citizens have not been required to present a | | | | approximately 4-6 weeks. |
| passport or identification to enter or re-enter the | | | | If you already own a valid, up-to-date U.S. passport, |
| United States. The WHTI simply assures that all U.S. | | | | the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not |
| citizens have valid documentation. | | | | affect you. However, if you are making summer |
| - Fact: The WHTI is a result of the Intelligence | | | | plans to visit another country or take a cruise, make |
| Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. It will | | | | sure you have a U.S. passport. With the Western |
| enable the Department of Homeland Security to | | | | Hemisphere Travel Initiative starting on June 1, 2009, |
| identify travelers and help strengthen border security. | | | | U.S. citizens entering or re-entering the United States |
| Getting a Passport to Comply with WHTI: | | | | will be required to provide a U.S. passport or other |
| If you are travelling to and from Canada, Mexico, the | | | | approved documentation. |
| Caribbean or Bermuda in the next three months, | | | | Additional information about WHTI passport |
| it’s best to apply for your passport to comply | | | | requirements and WHTI - Western Hemisphere |
| with WHTI. | | | | Travel Initiative compliant documents can be found |
| If you are applying for your first U.S. passport or are | | | | online. |